Things that bother me..........

[cavalier1968]

Ball beats runner home but runner beats tag.........umps says OUT?

Postage stamp size strike zone....everything over belly button is a ball

Neighborhood play (Double play)

Watching good pitching getting the shaft (squeezed strike zone, cant throw in)

Bunters striking out

Throwing ball over cutoff mens head

WAtching my team walk the first batter........in a tie game....late:grouchy

CAv

[BadKarma]

Batters diving into the plate, then wanting to charge the mound when they get plunked. At least Baylor never charged anyone.

Jorge Julio coming into a close game.

Fans interferring with balls in play in your home stadium that give up doubles and HRs

Players that your team traded away becoming superstars.

I have to agree with the postage stamp strike zone as well.

Having to choose between dropping your beer to spear the hard liner headed towards you in the stands or letting the ball go to somebody else. At a kazillion dollars a beer, not really a hard choice anymore though :grouchy

[Baseball Guru]

.

Jorge Julio coming into a close game.



lol:laugh

Amen!:grouchy

[Sultan_1895-1948]

The price of gas.

Oregon weather.

Getting past the first page of the blackbook....

Oh Baseball? :o

--Gotta agree with the strikezone. That's the big one. Sick and tired of seeing pitches at the crotch to belt area being called a ball. It's a GREAT pitch to hit. Tons of homers are hit on that pitch when they DO decide to swing at it, so why wouldn't it be called a strike? Technically the zone is supposed to be at the letters.

--Coors Field bugs me. Something not pure about it.

--Steroid apologists. Always reaching for something.

--All the cheap homers we've seen. Used to really have to get into one.

--Small market teams being farm systems for the rich.

--No MLB in Portland

[SHOELESSJOE3]

--Gotta agree with the strikezone. That's the big one. Sick and tired of seeing pitches at the crotch to belt area being called a ball. It's a GREAT pitch to hit. Tons of homers are hit on that pitch when they DO decide to swing at it, so why wouldn't it be called a strike? Technically the zone is supposed to be at the letters.
--Coors Field bugs me. Something not pure about it.


This is the one that bugs me the most in the game. Some how it just got pushed off the front burner, hardly considered an issue today. Probably all the talk about steroids made many forget this one.

In the early to late 1990s it was a big topic. Sports Illustrated, Baseball Digest, Baseball weekly, The Sporting News and tons of newpapers discussed the strike zone, lower than ever. Many of them included diagrams, what the book said and what the umps were calling, not even close. Ray Knight did a good segment on ESPN with comments from some present and past players, all agreed the rule book was tossed out on this one. Don't remember word for word but if I recall the upper half is point midway between the shoulders and the top of the uniform pants, the umps are way lower.

I can remember some big strong guys, Killebrew, Mantle, Frank Howard swinging at the high hard one, borderline even they had a hard time getting around on that one, trying to get "on top" of the ball. Today hitters seldom have that problem, they know the pitch will be called a ball.

You can bet if they ever went back to the rule book ( I'm dreaming) home runs would go down, todays zone a hitters delight, pitches a bit above the belt are now almost always called a ball.

Forgotten in all this talk is also how often the pea sized zone puts the hitters in a hitter's count. Pitches that should be strikes now called balls. A few years ago I saw one stat, that the league hit for a batting average 30 points higher when starting with a 1-0 count than when starting out with a 0-1 count. Thats hugh that first strike very important.

We have other factors that are a part of the home run derby that started up in the early 1990s, parks, the ball, some expansion, steroid use but the strike zone is a big factor. The pitcher has been squeezed like never before. The said part is the umps tok it upon themselves to throw out the book on this one.

[SoxSon]

Batters who are awarded first base after they lean in on a pitch.

[Mattingly]

Batters who are awarded first base after they lean in on a pitch.
Batters who are given a HBP after some hanky in their back pocket gets hit. Hey, why not just put a balloon with a bullseye on it back there and see if anyone notices?

Starters who can't go 5 innings, despite having an overpriced contract (HELLLLLLLLLOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO, Jaret Wright!)

Your leadoff and #2 guys on 2B, 3B to start an inning, but neither score that inning. (Hiya, Sheff, A-Rod, Giambi) :waving

When your long-time closer gets blamed for both a blown save and a loss, despite his having to pitch 5 outs with a 1-run lead.

When you have guys who are really hitting a pitcher well, but all those doubles come with the bases empty, are followed by guys not hitting a lick that inning.

Headfirst slides (they should be taken out to the back room and we'll arrange to have Nolan Ryan put them into a headlock).

Pitchers who mouth off at hitters who admire their hits too much, yet their own batters do the very same thing (Beckett, Ortiz and Manny come to mind).

[Erik Bedard]

Jorge Julio coming into a close game.

I was at Camden Yards for a game, and the O's were winning something like 5-3 and my brother wanted to leave. Then he gave up a three-run homer and the game went extra innings and Jerry Hairston hit a walk-off something or other. But I was stuck in the car trying to get out of the parking lot, so I missed all of that.

[SoxSon]

Pitchers who mouth off at hitters who admire their hits too much, yet their own batters do the very same thing (Beckett, Ortiz and Manny come to mind).

You sneaky Yankee fan!!! I see what you're doing!!! :grouchy :D

[Mattingly]

You sneaky Yankee fan!!! I see what you're doing!!! :grouchy :D
Hey, honesty comes every now and then. This time, it came now. :p

[Francoeurstein]

Chris Reitsma

The Mets

Barry Bonds

[brewcrew82]

In no real order (except the first one, of course). ;)

1. Interleague Play...its not natural damnit!

2. As Mattingly said, Pitchers that can't go 5...heck, pitchers that can't go 7.

3. Hitters stepping out and asking for time after every pitch...and umpires granting it.

4. Players who cannot bunt.

5. Players who don't know the rules (and if they do know them, plead ignorance when questioned).

6. Performance Enhancing Drugs.

7. Astroturf.

8. Body Armour.

9. Caps being tilted slightly to the side.

10. People who believe every aspect of todays game is rubbish and the game should be exactly how it was in the early 20th century.

Thats all ther will be for the time being...I feel slightly better after getting that off me chest.

[geezer]

In no real order (except the first one, of course). ;)

1. Interleague Play...its not natural damnit!

2. As Mattingly said, Pitchers that can't go 5...heck, pitchers that can't go 7.

3. Hitters stepping out and asking for time after every pitch...and umpires granting it.

4. Players who cannot bunt.

5. Players who don't know the rules (and if they do know them, plead ignorance when questioned).

6. Performance Enhancing Drugs.

7. Astroturf.

8. Body Armour.

9. Caps being tilted slightly to the side.

10. People who believe every aspect of todays game is rubbish and the game should be exactly how it was in the early 20th century.

Thats all ther will be for the time being...I feel slightly better after getting that off me chest.


I second your posting, u read my mind!

[Sultan_1895-1948]

10. People who believe every aspect of todays game is rubbish and the game should be exactly how it was in the early 20th century.
.

I like this one.

The big thing is that most people should understand the game changes over time with advancements in, well, pretty much everything. There's an expected amount of difference that is acceptable. After all, baseball is baseball, and it's a beautiful thing.

However with what the game has become, there's absolutely no way to compare todays game with any other era imo. An entirely different style of baseball, and an entirely different approach by players because of it. It shouldn't be too much to ask for 500 HR to still mean what 500 HR used to mean, and it shouldn't be too much to ask, for a player to take pride in other skills besides swinging from their arses. Baseball has several ways they could "control" the game and get it back to a respectable level of difference, buy they choose not to, probably because they're afraid the casual fan will go away. Sad thought.

[Go Bravos!!!#1]

Pitchers walking Pitchers

Intentional walks

In-effective relievers

Under .280 Batting Averages

[RuthMayBond]

In-effective relievers

Under .280 Batting AveragesI hear ya, ElHalo :laugh
You want batters to succeed but relievers should prevent them from succeeding :crazy :confused:

[Taco De Muerte]

Nothing really, I enjoy the game we watch today.

One thing that does bother is older " fans " who are always constantly criticizing the modern day baseball game and players. Whether it's about steroids, attitudes, the strikezone, selig, etc, it's pretty pathetic.

What's funny is if you dare say ANYTHING remotely insulting about an " old-timer ", some " fans " bite your head off. Any mentioning of the various cheaters of the past usually brings out insults from fans of the old-timers.

But, apparently, even though many claim to " hate " the game today, MLB'S attendance records are still being shattered.

http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20051003&content_id=1236174&vkey=pr_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb

So it seems that " the steroid era " hurting the game of baseball is more faux than anything-else.

[geezer]

Too many walks on Barroids, it sickens me as well, be a man, face it, if he hits one over the fence, but you tried to retire him.

[Sultan_1895-1948]

Nothing really, I enjoy the game we watch today.

One thing that does bother is older " fans " who are always constantly criticizing the modern day baseball game and players. Whether it's about steroids, attitudes, the strikezone, selig, etc, it's pretty pathetic.


Yeah, silly details about steroids and the strikezone. Things that have no relevance to the game today.


What's funny is if you dare say ANYTHING remotely insulting about an " old-timer ", some " fans " bite your head off. Any mentioning of the various cheaters of the past usually brings out insults from fans of the old-timers.


If you're accurate and the info is true, it shouldn't be a problem.


But, apparently, even though many claim to " hate " the game today, MLB'S attendance records are still being shattered.


Lets see. Bigger ballparks that hold more people, and more of them than ever before....

Attractions being built outside the actual game itself to draw families to the park. Some fans hardly watch an inning or three.

Is it a wonder the attendance is high? MLB has catered the game to the casual fan with the offense and the amusement park atmosphere. If you say the passion for the game is higher now than ever, I would politely disagree. Attendance numbers aren't the be all and end all to prove that case.


So it seems that " the steroid era " hurting the game of baseball is more faux than anything-else.

Casual fans like 12-10 games.

[Goooooo]

People who think players of the 1920's are superior to players today.

[geezer]

People who think players of the 1920's are superior to players today.

Well not quite, I like more the 1930s players hehehe.

[Goooooo]

Well not quite, I like more the 1930s players hehehe.

Nobody pre-1947 is a superior athlete to the great athletes today. This is a undisputable fact.

[ESPNFan]

Nobody pre-1947 is a superior athlete to the great athletes today. This is a undisputable fact.

Jim Thorpe stiff-arms your indisputable fact back into the "things I should have thought about a hell of a lot more before I said anything" file.

[wamby]

Lets see. Bigger ballparks that hold more people, and more of them than ever before....

Attractions being built outside the actual game itself to draw families to the park. Some fans hardly watch an inning or three.

Is it a wonder the attendance is high? MLB has catered the game to the casual fan with the offense and the amusement park atmosphere. If you say the passion for the game is higher now than ever, I would politely disagree. Attendance numbers aren't the be all and end all to prove that case.

.

I completely agree. Going to Jacobs Field, especially between about 1996 and 2002, could be odd sometimes because it looked like less than a quarter of the people there were actually paying attention to the game. I could never understand going to the ballpark if you didn't care about the game. That's one of the reasons why I never attended a Cleveland Browns game.

[The Big C]

I hate it when people say things and claim them to be indisputable (or in this case undisputable). As if saying it makes it so.

[ESPNFan]

I hate it when people say things and claim them to be indisputable (or in this case undisputable). As if saying it makes it so.

:laugh @ undisputable. And there seems to be a lot of that going on around. Its almost as if they're begging to get into an argument.

[Sultan_1895-1948]

Nobody pre-1947 is a superior athlete to the great athletes today. This is a undisputable fact.

And no race care before '47 could compete with today's. What does that say?

[RuthMayBond]

Lets see. Bigger ballparks that hold more people,.What universe are you in?

[Cubsfan97]

If there is one thing and one thing only that bugs me in baseball it would have to be fluke seasos(s). Adrian BEltre is a prime example. He was superman in 2004 and now what is he? And it bugs me because he signed a huge deal with Seattle and hasnt done crap. Eric Gagne is another example. He was good for about 2 1/2 seasons and now hasnt done anything. Yes that is injury related but it still bugs me. Hes making millions of dollars to sit at home and nurse an elbow or something like that. Another example is Kerry Wood.

[Go Bravos!!!#1]

I hear ya, ElHalo :laugh
You want batters to succeed but relievers should prevent them from succeeding :crazy :confused:

:laugh :laugh I just noticed that I contradicted myself :laugh :laugh

[Go Bravos!!!#1]

Outfielders who can't throw.

[Cubsfan97]

Outfielders who can't throw.
Juan Pierre

[RuthMayBond]

Outfielders who can't throw.There goes my spot on the softball team :grouchy :laugh

[Call Me Genius]

1. Those ugly dotted undershirts some players wear

2. The Padres sand colored Jerseys

3. When youre favorite team which is your local team is on ESPN HD, but you cant watch it becuase it's blacked out so you can watch the game on the local channel that has horrible picture.

Well I guess the last one wasnt really something about baseball, more network politics, but Oh well.

[bigtrain]

1) Designated hitters with worse batting averages than pitchers.
2) Doug "since I caught the ball I get to keep it even though I didn't do a damn thing to help the team win" Mientkiewicz

[cong]

people (not fans) who come to the game and sit behind me and talk about something other than baseball the entire game. They don't shut up!! they talk and talk and talk.... They don't even know what the score is or who is playing for that matter..... just go home please!!!

The DH

Warnings for a little chin music

hats on sideways!!!!

players who don't run out a pop up

[Sultan_1895-1948]

What universe are you in?

Yours.

You don't think the new parks/upgraded parks with outside ammenities, along with the HR frenzy has helped attendance by getting more casual fans out to the yard :noidea

[Chelle]

Interleague Play (I know some people love it...but...ew)

Swinging at ball four

(I know it's been said before but...) pitchers who can't go 7 innings...

Cell phones in the ball park

Instant replay of umps bad calls on big screen (frustrating!)

Peter Angelos

The big business of baseball ($50 seats, $10 beer, $5 hot dog, $50 million contract)....

[Dasperp]

Good hitters bunting early in a game

Guys who can't take a walk

Closers only being used in save situations

Managers who overuse young pitchers

Managers who go with mediocre veterans over promising youngsters

Pitchers who throw strikes to Alfonso Soriano

[Go Bravos!!!#1]

Players who hit 30 homers, but don't drive in 100.

[SoxSon]

Batters calling for time late, and getting it.

The sleepy, mesmerized, zombie-feeling I get listening to the commentary on Sunday Night Baseball.

[otis89]

Too many walks on Barroids, it sickens me as well, be a man, face it, if he hits one over the fence, but you tried to retire him.

Ah, yes. I'm pretty sure there was a Cubs/Giants game where the bases were loaded with 2 outs and Zambrano struck out Bonds to end the inning. Zambrano got very excited, and, after the game, Bonds said Zambrano shouldn't have acted the way he did and he should respect Bonds. Zambrano then replied with, "My father told me never to be afraid of anyone, and I'm not going to start with him." You are awesome, Zambrano.

[otis89]

The sleepy, mesmerized, zombie-feeling I get listening to the commentary on Sunday Night Baseball.

Yeah, Jon Miller and Joe Morgan are lacking in the intelligence department.

[Go Bravos!!!#1]

Announcers who mis-pronounce easy players names like..
RAW FY El FURR CAL

Instead of

Ra Fe el Fur Call

[SoxSon]

Yeah, Jon Miller and Joe Morgan are lacking in the intelligence department.

Somehow they make watching baseball feel like Play-Doh. I'm not even sure what I mean by this.

[Solair Wright]

Where to start...

- Jim Edmonds' sudden slump
- Kris Benson traded from the Mets to the O's for a bag of baseballs (Jorge Julio) and a rookie starter that isn't even known yet
- the Cardinals' current defense
- Incompetent GM's (definately not Walt Jocketty) that misses signing great agents
- Milwaukee being in the National League. Personally they're more of a waste of space in the National League and definately belong to the AL. No offense Milwaukee fans. (this way they get Bill Hall at DH and Coskie at 3B)
- Oft-injured players that keep on going the DL and miss a lot of time
- the fact that the Cubs haven't won a World Series ring since 1908.
- the 2004 World Series (thank god they banned steroids after that year), because I think the Red Sox cheated. Not Ortiz though, he played fair and square.

[Elvis]

The extinction of the stirrup sock.

The way most ballparks now sound like NBA arenas.

PA announcers who act as cheerleaders.

Flashing signs that tell fans when to "make noise".

That tickets for good seats used to be equivilant in cost to a fast food meal, while today they're equivilant to a five-course supper at a fancy french restaurant.

That parking at Dodger Stadium costs more than my monthly phone bill.

The DH

Juicers and their appologists

Obnoxious fans who visit stadiums from out-of-town.

The IRS

ESPN

Sour candy that isn't sour enough

[Taco De Muerte]

Yeah, silly details about steroids and the strikezone. Things that have no relevance to the game today.

It's an issue, but do people really have to constantly complain about the same stuff over and over again ?

It's as ridiculous as people who completely dismiss the numbers of great players who played in a segregated league.





If you're accurate and the info is true, it shouldn't be a problem.

With you, maybe, with others, it's a problem.




Lets see. Bigger ballparks that hold more people, and more of them than ever before.....

That still doesn't mean lots of people have to go - dolphin stadium is a very big stadium, and it rarely gets packed.


Attractions being built outside the actual game itself to draw families to the park. Some fans hardly watch an inning or three.

Is it a wonder the attendance is high? MLB has catered the game to the casual fan with the offense and the amusement park atmosphere. If you say the passion for the game is higher now than ever, I would politely disagree. Attendance numbers aren't the be all and end all to prove that case.

Fair Enough.

[Williamsburg2599]

- the 2004 World Series (thank god they banned steroids after that year), because I think the Red Sox cheated. Not Ortiz though, he played fair and square.
QUE?! WHAT?! First off, Steriods were banned LONNGGGG before that, after 2004 they started testing, but who,how and why do you think the red soxs cheated!? I see your from St. Louis, so I must ask you if your just have a case of the denials that the soxs WERE better than the cards in 04. Admit it we won, we swepted you. Soxs fans didn't claim the cards cheated in 1946 when they beat us or when the mets beat us in 86. So Ortiz played "fair and square" then who cheated?? Did we some how come back and beat the yanks in 4 games and that was fair, but we beat you, and its not? c'mon, this must be some type of late april fool's joke or something. Did I just get Punk'd?I would like to here you elaberate about this.Every time the Yanks beat us, I don't claim they cheated because they have Giambi on thier team or something.
Oft-injured players that keep on going the DL and miss a lot of time
Is it the player's fault that they get hurt? Do you think Nomar or Prior or Wood owe the Cubs an apoligy or something??Can you please explain this to me too?If you where a manager and some one got hurt going for a ball, whould you yell at them?! jeez.

The MLB isin't perfect, but your hating the wrong things about it.

[SoxSon]

- the 2004 World Series (thank god they banned steroids after that year), because I think the Red Sox cheated. Not Ortiz though, he played fair and square.


This is a ridiculous statement to make, and you know it. Poor kckid is having a stroke over there. In 2004, the St. Louis Cards folded, and that was that.

[RuthMayBond]

Yours.

You don't think the new parks/upgraded parks with outside ammenities, along with the HR frenzy has helped attendance by getting more casual fans out to the yard :noideaYour point was BIGGER PARKS. We tore down Municipal Stadium's 78,000. We built Jacob Field's 42,000. They're experimenting in Oakland with closing off seats in preparation for fewer regular seats (gotta put the luxury boxes somewhere)

[RuthMayBond]

That parking at Dodger Stadium costs more than my monthly phone bill.

Obnoxious fans who visit stadiums from out-of-town.Geez, I hope I didn't tell Elvis when I was coming :eek:

[Elvis]

Geez, I hope I didn't tell Elvis when I was coming :eek:

:laugh Yes you did. I doubt you'd fit that catagory though.

[VTSoxFan]

- the 2004 World Series (thank god they banned steroids after that year), because I think the Red Sox cheated. Not Ortiz though, he played fair and square.

Yup. Pedro, Arroyo, OC, Timlin, Pokey, Bellhorn, Lowe.... yup. Juiced.

C'mon, the longest a StL starter went in that series was 6 innings. Our guys got hot, your guys went cold. That's all.

[unfinished_business]

I'm surprised nobody mentioned FOX-Broadcasting particularly Tim McCarver.
(maybe i should wait til May 20th)

[Elvis]

I'm surprised nobody mentioned FOX-Broadcasting particularly Tim McCarver.
(maybe i should wait til May 20th)

How can their NASCAR coverage be so good and their baseball coverage be so bad? I think Darrell Waltrip, Larry Mac and Mike Joy would do a better job doing baseball than Buck and McCarver. :crazy

[Solair Wright]

I'm surprised nobody mentioned FOX-Broadcasting particularly Tim McCarver.
(maybe i should wait til May 20th)

I had to listen to the radio over him. He's a former Cardinal, yes, but I can't stand his broadcasting at all. :(

[Sultan_1895-1948]

Your point was BIGGER PARKS. We tore down Municipal Stadium's 78,000. We built Jacob Field's 42,000. They're experimenting in Oakland with closing off seats in preparation for fewer regular seats (gotta put the luxury boxes somewhere)

You're correct in that there were many stadiums with tons of seats, some which were built probably for football at first? However, what good is 78K seats if it's a dump that nobody wants to go to? The extra stuff they add to these parks, and the style of baseball that draws the casual fan, has allowed attendance numbers to increase imo.

ps. Is it just my posts that you circle around like a hawk, just waiting to correct any minor point. It can't be just me, I'm not that special. RMB's MO, hawk circling :D

[Captain Cold Nose]

You're correct in that there were many stadiums with tons of seats, some which were built probably for football at first? However, what good is 78K seats if it's a dump that nobody wants to go to? The extra stuff they add to these parks, and the style of baseball that draws the casual fan, has allowed attendance numbers to increase imo.

ps. Is it just my posts that you circle around like a hawk, just waiting to correct any minor point. It can't be just me, I'm not that special. RMB's MO, hawk circling :D
Don't flatter yourself, Sultan. RMB is an equal opportunity nitpick.

[Sultan_1895-1948]

Don't flatter yourself, Sultan. RMB is an equal opportunity nitpick.

PHEW !!! :backhandwipeofforeheadandfling

[RuthMayBond]

You're correct in that there were many stadiums with tons of seats, some which were built probably for football at first? However, what good is 78K seats if it's a dump that nobody wants to go to? The extra stuff they add to these parks, and the style of baseball that draws the casual fan, has allowed attendance numbers to increase imo.

ps. Is it just my posts that you circle around like a hawk, just waiting to correct any minor point. It can't be just me, I'm not that special. RMB's MO, hawk circling :DSorry if you can't admit you're wrong

[RuthMayBond]

Don't flatter yourself, Sultan. RMB is an equal opportunity nitpick.What was that saying about it takes one?

[brewcrew82]

Where to start...

- Milwaukee being in the National League. Personally they're more of a waste of space in the National League and definately belong to the AL. No offense Milwaukee fans. (this way they get Bill Hall at DH and Coskie at 3B)


No offense taken, I for one agree 100% we should be in the AL...it was a stupid idea to move us to the NL! :grouchy

[Captain Cold Nose]

What was that saying about it takes one?
Take one and cover?

[Captain Cold Nose]

No offense taken, I for one agree 100% we should be in the AL...it was a stupid idea to move us to the NL! :grouchy
Ok, so what do you do about having an odd number of teams in each league? Someone had to move.

[trosmok]

Ok, so what do you do about having an odd number of teams in each league? Someone had to move.

Not neccessarily; expansion could have been conducted so that there were sixteen teams in each league, or at least even numbers, instead of the unprecedented league jump to get out of the same division as the Twins.

Perhaps the only worse move in MLB history was when the Dodgers left Brooklyn.

Other stuff that raws my backside include:
The current ownership of the Nationals, (like five years and running)
Interleague games other than ST and WS
Baseballs wound too tight
The mound lower than it should be by around five inches
The DH used at any level other than the AL
Specialized pitching
Nine dollar beverages
Ninety dollar tickets
Corporate welfare in the form of taxpayer funded ballparks
Save stats
Stand and admire warning track outs
Swinging for the fences and striking out nearly as often as Reggie
No scheduled regular doubleheaders
Steinbrenner
Two admission (day/night) greed doubleheaders
No World Series day games
Wild Cards
Loria's bi-annual fire sales
No true revenue sharing
Luxury tax money not going to salaries
Cheerleaders

and the number one irritant:
A Puppet Commissioner:grouchy

Baseball, however, will survive all these shortcomings.:cool:

[Captain Cold Nose]

Not neccessarily; expansion could have been conducted so that there were sixteen teams in each league, or at least even numbers, instead of the unprecedented league jump to get out of the same division as the Twins.

Perhaps the only worse move in MLB history was when the Dodgers left Brooklyn.


So the league should have contracted or doubly expanded instead of just adding two teams? I really don't like either option, but the expansion would have been ok in stages.
The lack of planning is the most glaring part about this. If expansion is inevitable, there should have been a plan in force, like the NHL, NBA and NFL had, to get the amount of times to an even level between the leagues. It's even more important for MLB to have done that, since there is no dual league structure as in the other major sports leagues.

[trosmok]

... expansion would have been ok in stages.
The lack of planning is the most glaring part about this. If expansion is inevitable, there should have been a plan in force,...

Precisely. Adding two teams at a time per league, instead of the Brewers changing out of the Twins/White Sox division would have made more sense. There might have been some ulterior motives considering the Wisconson-Minnesota fan base issue, evidenced by Selig claiming Milwaukee was geographically closer to St. Louis than Minneapolis during the realignment press conference. Okay, he was only off by about fifty miles, which I suppose is pretty good for that nincompoop.:laugh

[Erik Bedard]

Steinbrenner

Amen.

My top ten most annoying people in baseball:

10. Peter Angelos
9. Lou Boudreau
8. Steve Bartman
7. Jim Bowden
6. Jeff Loria
5. Josh Bard
4. Selig
3. Tim McCarver
T1. $cott Bora$
T1. Steinbrenner

[SoxSon]

Amen.

My top ten most annoying people in baseball:

10. Peter Angelos
9. Lou Boudreau
8. Steve Bartman
7. Jim Bowden
6. Jeff Loria
5. Josh Bard
4. Selig
3. Tim McCarver
T1. $cott Bora$
T1. Steinbrenner

I'm gonna have a freak-out. Would RSN please leave that poor guy alone?! :grouchy :D :laugh

[Erik Bedard]

I'm gonna have a freak-out. Would RSN please leave that poor guy alone?! :grouchy :D :laugh

Not until he learns to be a backup catcher.:laugh :D :laugh :D

[RuthMayBond]

Amen.

My top ten most annoying people in baseball:

9. Lou BoudreauI thought he was dead, what did he do now?

<8. Steve Bartman>

Like no one else has ever reached for a ball

[Erik Bedard]

I thought he was dead, what did he do now?

<8. Steve Bartman>

Like no one else has ever reached for a ball

Boudreau? Dismantled the late 40's Red Sox. Benched Dom DiMaggio in favor of Tommy Umphlett. Traded away half the decent players, including Ellis Kinder. What more do you want?

Bartman? Screwed up the perfection of having the Cubs, Red Sox and White Sox win three consecutive pennants. P.S: I have Jeffrey Maier at #11, I'm just leaving him off because he was 12 years old and he actually HELPED his team. Even if it was the Yankees:evil :evil .

[SoxSon]

<8. Steve Bartman>

Like no one else has ever reached for a ball


You know....I've thought for a while now that it didn't help him to be named Bartman. Poor guy. Doesn't that sound like an evildoer?

[RuthMayBond]

Boudreau? Dismantled the late 40's Red Sox. Benched Dom DiMaggio in favor of Tommy Umphlett. Traded away half the decent players, including Ellis Kinder. What more do you want?Yeah, he's no Harry Frazee

<Bartman? Screwed up the perfection of having the Cubs, Red Sox and White Sox win three consecutive pennants.>

Fortunately the SS and pitchers are blameless

[RuthMayBond]

You know....I've thought for a while now that it didn't help him to be named Bartman. Poor guy. Doesn't that sound like an evildoer?Ask the Simpson family

[Chelle]

Amen.

My top ten most annoying people in baseball:

10. Peter Angelos
9. Lou Boudreau
8. Steve Bartman
7. Jim Bowden
6. Jeff Loria
5. Josh Bard
4. Selig
3. Tim McCarver
T1. $cott Bora$
T1. Steinbrenner

I'm sorry...I have to disagree with this. How Peter Angelos is not the number one most annoying person in baseball? Even a Yankee fan must admit that Angelos has surpassed Steinbrenner in the annoying catagory. Steinbrenner at least understands the basics of baseball and is willing to spend money to win. Angelos just wants people to spend money on the before mentioned $9 beers and Boogs B-B-Q. I'm not sure he even likes baseball.

[Chelle]

I thought he was dead, what did he do now?

<8. Steve Bartman>

Like no one else has ever reached for a ball

Yeah, Jeffrey Maier *groan* Sorry, automatic O's fan response.

[Erik Bedard]

I'm sorry...I have to disagree with this. How Peter Angelos is not the number one most annoying person in baseball? Even a Yankee fan must admit that Angelos has surpassed Steinbrenner in the annoying catagory. Steinbrenner at least understands the basics of baseball and is willing to spend money to win. Angelos just wants people to spend money on the before mentioned $9 beers and Boogs B-B-Q. I'm not sure he even likes baseball.

Ummm... a Yankee fan would ALWAYS admit that Steinbrenner is less annoying than Angelos.

I think you mean Red Sox fan.:laugh Hey, I'm an O's fan too.

[Erik Bedard]

Yeah, he's no Harry Frazee

<Bartman? Screwed up the perfection of having the Cubs, Red Sox and White Sox win three consecutive pennants.>

Fortunately the SS and pitchers are blameless

They didn't INTENTIONALLY make their team lose.

Frazee actually TRIED to make the Sox good. Boudreau just got rid of people because he didn't like them.

[Erik Bedard]

Ask the Simpson family

:laugh :laugh :laugh :laugh

[bigtrain]

I'm surprised nobody mentioned FOX-Broadcasting particularly Tim McCarver.
(maybe i should wait til May 20th)

YES! EXACTLY

[Erik Bedard]

<Bartman? Screwed up the perfection of having the Cubs, Red Sox and White Sox win three consecutive pennants.>

Fortunately the SS and pitchers are blameless

Any fan, especially a Cubs fan, who are supposed to be the second most loyal in baseball, who would take a ball away from his OWN fielder IN THE PLAYOFFS :eek: has screwed up the game of baseball, in my opinion.

[bigtrain]

Amen.

My top ten most annoying people in baseball:

10. Peter Angelos
9. Lou Boudreau
8. Steve Bartman
7. Jim Bowden
6. Jeff Loria
5. Josh Bard
4. Selig
3. Tim McCarver
T1. $cott Bora$
T1. Steinbrenner

I am shocked that it took until the 69th post to mention the anti-christ. Let's not forget Donald Fehr either. The other half of the dynamic duo out to ruin baseball.

[Chelle]

Ummm... a Yankee fan would ALWAYS admit that Steinbrenner is less annoying than Angelos.

I think you mean Red Sox fan.:laugh Hey, I'm an O's fan too.

lol, sorry got blinded by seeing Angelos' name in print. Always makes me a little crazy.....have to say my little chant

Don't let Angelos make me nuts...
Don't let Angelos make me nuts...

lol

[The Big C]

Speaking of the Bartman incident and the following events, Alex Gonzalez bothers me. >_<

[Go Bravos!!!#1]

Shaking Moises Alou's hand bothers me. :eek: :eek: :eek:

[RuthMayBond]

Any fan, especially a Cubs fan, who are supposed to be the second most loyal in baseball, who would take a ball away from his OWN fielder IN THE PLAYOFFS :eek: has screwed up the game of baseball, in my opinion.I'm not convinced the fielder would have caught it anyway

[Sultan_1895-1948]

Sorry if you can't admit you're wrong

I said you were correct. I should have qualified my original statement about bigger parks. Just glad you were there to catch me on it.

[Erik Bedard]

I'm not convinced the fielder would have caught it anyway

Look at the sig of The Big C. His glove is right below the ball! How does he not catch it?

[RuthMayBond]

I said you were correct. I should have qualified my original statement about bigger parks. Just glad you were there to catch me on it.Not worth my time circlin' ya Sultan, you're almost always on the money :clapping

[SoxSon]

Ask the Simpson family

Yeah...that was the joke. :ughh

[wamby]

Bartman? Screwed up the perfection of having the Cubs, Red Sox and White Sox win three consecutive pennants. P.S: I have Jeffrey Maier at #11, I'm just leaving him off because he was 12 years old and he actually HELPED his team. Even if it was the Yankees:evil :evil .

What about the other fifteen people reaching for the same ball?

[Solair Wright]

I've got more:

- Jeff Suppan trying to stay on a team and losing in a 8-1 blowout, and already gets subbed in the bottom of the 3rd. Were the Cards ready for this game? I don't think so.
- players that don't play well defensively and offensively, and still liked. (this isn't Edmonds, obviously)
- Manny and his trade demands. Come on, you're a great baseball player for the Sox!
- Ballparks that are very mean to pitchers one day, but nice to pitchers the next. (confusing, I know)

[RuthMayBond]

ps. Is it just my posts that you circle around like a hawk, just waiting to correct any minor point. It can't be just me, I'm not that special. RMB's MO, hawk circling :DWhile you are special, Sultan, even if I was ever to hawk-circle, there's only three posters that I'm aware of that would be worth watching
ElHalo (and even he's coming to his senses some in his old age ;) :clapping
and probably nomar22,
and probably sockeye.
And most everyone who hangs around for awhile begins to understand a little about indexed stats, era adjustments, and less-team-dependent stats. Because you guys do such a great job, and even knocked a little bit of sense into me :eek: :laugh

[the pyromaniac]

Here's my "Bottom 10" list of the things I think are wrong with baseball...

10. The small strike zone.

9. Small-market teams being a farm system for the Yankees.

8. The fact that we won't be seeing Yulieski Gourriel and Rob Cordemaans in the Majors any time soon.

7. Jason Giambi being welcomed back with open arms by MLB.

6. Lifetime bans for gambling are enforced, but it usually takes about 3 lifetime bans for drug offenses before a guy is finally run out of the league for good.

5. The bull$@*&! that is the ownership situation of the Nationals.

4. George Steinbrenner.

3. Don Fehr and the players union.

2. Butt Selig.

1. Barry Bonds.


If Selig, Bonds, Fehr, and Steinbrenner were out of the picture, the Nationals had an owner, and revenue sharing actually worked, the game would be MUCH better off! :D

[RuthMayBond]

A pitcher does what is considering throwing at an opposing batter. There would seem to be two reasonable responses.
1) Warn the team that threw at the batter that their next batter thrown at results in the pitcher's ejection
2) Warn both teams after the opposite team "evens things up"
Tell me if this has been explained to me correctly, but what I understand is that instead, the ump warns EITHER team that the next batter thrown at results in the pitcher's ejection.
If you were managing and there was even the slightest reason that you might want to throw at a batter, are you gonna wait? They're encouraging a pitcher to be the first, since the other team can't even it up without ejection. Dumbest thing I ever heard :grouchy if I got it right.

[Go Bravos!!!#1]

Rafael Palmeiro and...his waving and pointing finger.

[RuthMayBond]

Rafael Palmeiro and...his waving and pointing finger.. . . and his commercials :laugh

[Sultan_1895-1948]

A pitcher does what is considering throwing at an opposing batter. There would seem to be two reasonable responses.
1) Warn the team that threw at the batter that their next batter thrown at results in the pitcher's ejection
2) Warn both teams after the opposite team "evens things up"
Tell me if this has been explained to me correctly, but what I understand is that instead, the ump warns EITHER team that the next batter thrown at results in the pitcher's ejection.
If you were managing and there was even the slightest reason that you might want to throw at a batter, are you gonna wait? They're encouraging a pitcher to be the first, since the other team can't even it up without ejection. Dumbest thing I ever heard :grouchy if I got it right.

Bingo! Ridiculous isn't it. Umps try to babysit rather than just let things take care of themselves. If a guy gets plunked, there should be no warning until the next retaliation pitch imo. Too often, that batter takes offense to the retaliation pitch, which is lame, he should know it's coming. Also, if that retaliation pitch doesn't come right away, maybe it comes later on in the game, it should still just be a warning. Some umps don't seem to take into account the situation or the score, and are quick to just toss a guy. I hate that. :rolleyes:

[Go Bravos!!!#1]

. . . and his commercials :laugh

:laugh :laugh :laugh :laugh

[brewcrew82]

Ok, so what do you do about having an odd number of teams in each league? Someone had to move.

Being that it was the same year as the last expansion, why didn't they put both expansion teams in the same league--we'll say for the sake of the argument put them both in the AL meaning there would now be 16 teams in the AL, 14 in the NL

[ESPNFan]

. . . and his commercials :laugh

Is it shocking to anyone now why old limp taffy raffy would need those pills he was peddling? :laugh :laugh :laugh

[CuriousBoston]

Amen.

My top ten most annoying people in baseball:

10. Peter Angelos
9. Lou Boudreau
8. Steve Bartman
7. Jim Bowden
6. Jeff Loria
5. Josh Bard
4. Selig
3. Tim McCarver
T1. $cott Bora$
T1. Steinbrenner


Here I was gonna offer to make clam chowda for you, and you post something silly like that. KNUCKLEBALL, CATCHING, DIFFICULTY OF.

Mira chased balls, Tek chased balls, and if you wanna try and tell me Tek is not an above average defensive catcher....rookie kid, RedSox, Fenway, the kid is in a pressure cooker.

Top ten? Right behind Selig. Okay, here is an example of what bothers me....

Why not choose WELLS, the out of shape barfly?

Geez...

[SamtheBravesFan]

Starters who can't go 5 innings, despite having an overpriced contract (HELLLLLLLLLOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO, Jaret Wright!)



Blame the Brave-to-Yankee syndrome on that ;)

[RuthMayBond]

Blame the Brave-to-Yankee syndrome on that ;)In order to bolster their sagging pitching, the New York Yankees signed Mark Wohlers and John Rocker to $10 million contracts today :D

[Erik Bedard]

Here I was gonna offer to make clam chowda for you, and you post something silly like that. KNUCKLEBALL, CATCHING, DIFFICULTY OF.

Mira chased balls, Tek chased balls, and if you wanna try and tell me Tek is not an above average defensive catcher....rookie kid, RedSox, Fenway, the kid is in a pressure cooker.

Top ten? Right behind Selig. Okay, here is an example of what bothers me....

Why not choose WELLS, the out of shape barfly?

Geez...

He will drop out of the top ten, I have confidence in that. And by then I will have a new scapegoat to pin all the Sox losses on.

[RuthMayBond]

He will drop out of the top ten, I have confidence in that. And by then I will have a new scapegoat to pin all the Sox losses on.Matt Clement

[Erik Bedard]

Matt Clement

Or David Wells. Or, eventually, maybe even :eek: :eek: :eek: Jonathan Papelbon.:eek:

[Erik Bedard]

In order to bolster their sagging pitching, the New York Yankees signed Mark Wohlers and John Rocker to $10 million contracts today :D

Rocker is quoted as saying: "I just did it for the money, I won't ride the number nine train"

Was it the number nine train? I forget.

[CuriousBoston]

Or David Wells. Or, eventually, maybe even :eek: :eek: :eek: Jonathan Papelbon.:eek:

No chowda for you. Not one NYY on your list?

[Mattingly]

Blame the Brave-to-Yankee syndrome on that ;)
More like the "absence of Leo Mazzone" syndrome. Or financially, the "let's throw our money away, now that Jon Leiber has rejected our low-priced contract" thing.

What would've been a good contract for Leiber (prior to Kris Benson's signing with the Mets for more than what he'd have usually gotten) became a giveaway for someone who'd done terribly.

Now if it had been Maddux or Smoltz who'd come along, that would've been totally different.
Rocker is quoted as saying: "I just did it for the money, I won't ride the number nine train"

Was it the number nine train? I forget.
We have had (about 2002, anyway) a #9 train, which was a Manhattan-only local. However, it was the Queens-to-Manhattan #7 train (http://mta.info/nyct/service/sevenlin.htm), whose Willets Point-Shea Stadium stop made for a quotable soundbite in a 1999 SI interview.

Here's the full set of NYCTA (NYC Transit Authority) subways: http://mta.info/nyct/service/index.html

[cavalier1968]

. . . and his commercials :laugh

Raffy!
I guess his purple pill really did not help!


Too many small ballparks:mad:
Jogging to first:(
Admiring a home run......er long fly out
players who can not sacrifice
Dumb managers:crazy
Daydreaming outfielders
Infielders who continually skip throws to first:evil
Umps who give an inch outside but take 5 inches from the top!:eek:

Cav

[Mattingly]

In order to bolster their sagging pitching, the New York Yankees signed Mark Wohlers and John Rocker to $10 million contracts today :D
Oh yeah, the same Mark Wohlers (http://www.baseball-reference.com/w/wohlema01.shtml) who hasn't pitched since 2002, who totally pitched BP in Game 6 of the 2001 WS, after the venerable Andy Pettitte got lit up like a Christmas tree. Yeah, he can take Mariano's job. Uh-huh.

The John Rocker, he who would be singing "Cumba-ya" with the guys and gals, and in charge of minority recruitment. I'm sure he'll enjoy taking the #7 train to work every day, switching over at Grand Central to catch the #4.

If I had to do anything worse, I'd become either a Red Sawx or a Cleveland fan. :D :p

As to things that bother me, let's see:


Teams (which shall remain nameless) who turn on the offense when it becomes a blowout, but can't score a run to save their lives if it depended upon it in a low-scoring game.
Pitchers (especially very tall ones) who are awesome, then can't do anything in a few outings (yeah, the season's early)
Losing too many series, only to win the last game of 3 (how about winning the first two instead, then losing the 3rd?)
Seeing cross-town fans ask "What's the best team in baseball?", knowing that they're not referring to your team
Seeing your poor-throwing 1Bman throw away the ball once again
Seeing your LFer throw the ball to 3B where he's got no play, so the 1B runner advances to 2B, eliminating the DP, and putting 2 RISP
Losing series to team that have made the playoffs within the past 2-3 years
Wondering when the number 27 will have some material significance anytime soon

[Erik Bedard]

No chowda for you. Not one NYY on your list?

I was trying to keep it to individuals. There wasn't enough room for 24 people, so I just put Steinbrenner. Although, in hindsight, I probably should have thrown Damon on there somewhere too.

[Erik Bedard]

We have had (about 2002, anyway) a #9 train, which was a Manhattan-only local. However, it was the Queens-to-Manhattan #7 train (http://mta.info/nyct/service/sevenlin.htm), whose Willets Point-Shea Stadium stop made for a quotable soundbite in a 1999 SI interview.

Here's the full set of NYCTA (NYC Transit Authority) subways: http://mta.info/nyct/service/index.html

That's what I was referring to.

In other news, Rocker has been released from the Yankees and has been re-hired in a scouting capacity and assigned to the Middle Eastern area.

[trosmok]

Just a few more irks:

Players who hang on long after their skills have diminished

Owners that throw millions at mediocre players

Teams that won't give their home grown talent long-term deals

Bell bottomed uni britches that they don't trim, just wear the length off of

Those goofy new polka-dot undershirts

So-called fans that have no respect for pro players, and thus the game

[RuthMayBond]

Teams that won't give their home grown talent long-term dealsHome grown talent that won't accept the long-term deals?

[trosmok]

Home grown talent that won't accept the long-term deals?

Yup, them too.:laugh

[starkeeper]

Living in the north and being stuck with the Braves on TV everyday.
Enough of the braves already!!

[wamby]

Here is my list:

Batters who step out of the box after every pitch

The Wild Card

Body Armor

Batters who get pissed when the pitcher throws inside

Batters who stand and watch a homerun fly out of the park

Players who point to the sky after making some play

on-field celebrations by the home team after winning a game in the last at-bat.

Players who thank god in interviews

God bless america

Lousy renditions of the national anthem

Multiple ceremonial first pitches

Fans who try to grab a ball that is in play.

Players who don't hustle

Players who talk too much to the media

Inter-league play

Inequaties regarding the DH in inter-league and post-season play

Not seeing the Indians enough on ESPN-forget about Fox

One think about Fox & ESPN: I would much rather watch a game and listen to Tim McCarver than listen to Mr. Milquetoast Rick Suttcliffe (even if Suttcliffe is a former Indian)

[BoSox Rule]

Well, for one, I hate the sacrifice bunt being so popular.

[Sean Casey]

I haven't read everyone's replies, so I'm probably duplicating a lot, but here goes, in no particular order:

1. Bud Selig
2. Interleague play
3. Astroturf
4. Indoor baseball
5. Umpires with inconsistent strike zones
6. Relief pitchers winning the Cy Young Award
7. The belief that NL baseball is "pure"
8. Sabermetrics
9. Bandwagon fans
10. Umpires who toss pitchers who hit batters, unless there was obvious, unprovoked, malicious intent.
11. Corporate names for ballparks

[Sean Casey]

Players who thank god in interviews


Do you prefer to see a player congratulate himself in the post-game interviews?

[wamby]

Do you prefer to see a player congratulate himself in the post-game interviews?

If a player has to congratulate someone, I would rather see them congratulate a teammate.

[Toy Boat]

Agree with a lot of the responses so far. I don't think these two have been mentioned:

1. Players who slide head first into first. This has been proven to be slower than just running through but players always seem to do it and risk injury in the process. You don't see track stars diving across the finish line right?

2. The balk call not being called properly on lefties. It seems like there is no such thing as a balk call if you're a lefty.

[Toy Boat]

Seeing cross-town fans ask "What's the best team in baseball?", knowing that they're not referring to your team



You know the old saying about payback and some kind of female dog right? ;) But hey it's only April so let us enjoy our fun while we can.

[Go Bravos!!!#1]

Coming back in games in the top of an inning, only to have your staff put you back under in the bottom of the inning.

[W_Marone]

1. The DH
2. Players who watch homeruns go out of the park, then get mad when a pitcher celebrates after they strike them out.
3. Ed Wade
4. Pete Rose not being in the HOF
5. Garry Carter
6. Those ugly dotted undershirts
7. The Yankees
8. Cubs fans who blame them not making the series on Bartman, cough cough, remember the SS?
9. ESPN telling you everyday on sportscenter what Barry Bonds ate for breakfast (exageration)
10. Dan Wheeler
11. Ugly gold Padres jerseys
12. Not running out fly balls
13. Barry Bonds news
14. Hearing every year that the Yankees are going to win the series
15. People who think Mr. Met is better than the Philly Phanatic (fools they are)

Honorable Mention:
That Hawk guy from Chicago, I cant stand him, although I know there are many fans on here who are fond of him.

[geezer]

Anything regarding Barroids

Interleague Play still I find it senseless

Pitchers that dont go all the distance.

[RedSoxVT92]

Dome stadiums. Baseball was meant to be played outside!

Players that complain even though there making millions of dollars

Mediocre Veterans that block a young stars way to the majors

Blown Calls

Blown Saves

When fans boo players on the team there rooting for

[geezer]

Tropicana Field, the place look like a mouse trap.

[Bluesteve32]

Ball beats runner home but runner beats tag.........umps says OUT?

Postage stamp size strike zone....everything over belly button is a ball

Neighborhood play (Double play)

Watching good pitching getting the shaft (squeezed strike zone, cant throw in)

Bunters striking out

Throwing ball over cutoff mens head

WAtching my team walk the first batter........in a tie game....late:grouchy

CAv

People who constantly complain about umpires and umpiring.

[wamby]

People who constantly complain about umpires and umpiring.

Like the people in the right field stands who dispute ball and strike calls?

[SoxSon]

Like the people in the right field stands who dispute ball and strike calls?


I often wonder about those fans sitting behind homeplate (and the catcher and the umpire) and do the same sort of arguing.

[Bluesteve32]

I often wonder about those fans sitting behind homeplate (and the catcher and the umpire) and do the same sort of arguing.

The do, but their angle is distorted. Even the center field is not exactly at the same place in each ballpark and gives a distorted angle as well.

[wamby]

I often wonder about those fans sitting behind homeplate (and the catcher and the umpire) and do the same sort of arguing.

When they're not talking on their cel-phones or standing up and blocking peoples view?

[SoxSon]

When they're not talking on their cel-phones or standing up and blocking peoples view?


Trying to get on tv...exactly. Ugh.

[SoxSon]

The do, but their angle is distorted. Even the center field is not exactly at the same place in each ballpark and gives a distorted angle as well.


I'm sorry, bluesteve...I'm not following you.
I was saying that the angle behind homeplate isn't good at all to judge the pitches.

[Bluesteve32]

And I was concuring. :waving

[Go Bravos!!!#1]

When my team's game is missing on MLB Extra Innings. I feel bothered.

[SoxSon]

And I was concuring. :waving

Gotcha, buddy. :D

[tigers527]

The John Rocker, he who would be singing "Cumba-ya" with the guys and gals, and in charge of minority recruitment. I'm sure he'll enjoy taking the #7 train to work every day, switching over at Grand Central to catch the #4.

Actually, I guess you didnt hear John Rocker is dating a black woman. Go figure?


Teams (which shall remain nameless) who turn on the offense when it becomes a blowout, but can't score a run to save their lives if it depended upon it in a low-scoring game.

Sounds like last nights Tiger game.

It has been so long since there has been any real ball in Detroit. I really dont have anything to hate all that much, cept SELIG.

[RGreener26]

When a fan over the age of 18 catches a ball and doesn't give it to a nearby kid.

[RuthMayBond]

When a fan over the age of 18 catches a ball and doesn't give it to a nearby kid.You weren't at that Brewers/Reds game last year, were ya? :rolleyes:

[Solair Wright]

The /\ gap in the outfield at Fenway Park (you know, by Center Field) that ends up either being a triple or an ItP (Inside the park) Home Run. It can really cause trouble to slow outfielders and benefit quick baserunners.

[trosmok]

People who constantly complain about umpires and umpiring.

A great big amen from this corner of the congregation. I have been very tough on umpires in the past, but recently my respect for their work has been increased dramatically. Minor league umpires have been on strike and the difference between their replacements (mostly rank amateurs) and the professionals is like night and day. I really hope a settlement is in the offing, because I am tired of seeing every pitch that doesn't bounce called a strike.

[wamby]

A great big amen from this corner of the congregation. I have been very tough on umpires in the past, but recently my respect for their work has been increased dramatically. Minor league umpires have been on strike and the difference between their replacements (mostly rank amateurs) and the professionals is like night and day. I really hope a settlement is in the offing, because I am tired of seeing every pitch that doesn't bounce called a strike.

I've been listeneing to the 1949 World Series this week and it's funny because Mel Allen and especially Red Barber have nothing but good things to say about the umpires and how hard their jobs are and the World Series pressure they are under. It's the complete opposite of today. I guess it's easier to critique an umpire when you have slow-motion instant replay in the booth.

[Williamsburg2599]

The /\ gap in the outfield at Fenway Park (you know, by Center Field) that ends up either being a triple or an ItP (Inside the park) Home Run. It can really cause trouble to slow outfielders and benefit quick baserunners.

The triangle?Thats baseball.A short wall benifits powerhitters and causes trouble to pitchers,so shouldn't that bother you too?You whould of hated the polo grounds.

[Ubiquitous]

When a fan over the age of 18 catches a ball and doesn't give it to a nearby kid.


Why should he?

[wamby]

When a fan over the age of 18 catches a ball and doesn't give it to a nearby kid.

I would keep the ball.

[The Big C]

If it's a foul ball I would give it away, a homer might be a different story... Then again, I am only 17, so I'm in the clear for awhile still apparently. ;)

[Williamsburg2599]

I would keep the ball.
Me too, even though im under 18.I rather catch one myself then have one handed to me and if youve never gotten one before and you didnt jump infront of the kid then its yours.

[RGreener26]

In my opinion, I do not see what a grown man would see in a foul ball.To a kid it means everything in the world. I guess it sort of shows the type of person you are. Do you get more joy out of making a kid the happiest kid in the world or by keeping a stupid baseball for yourself?

Another thing that gets me mad is when grown men bring baseball gloves to a game. Can we agree on that at least?

[RuthMayBond]

In my opinion, I do not see what a grown man would see in a foul ball.To a kid it means everything in the world. That is why you give it to a kid.I got one for my son and he's not interested at all. But you probably don't want to know how many I have :eek:

[wamby]

In my opinion, I do not see what a grown man would see in a foul ball.To a kid it means everything in the world. That is why you give it to a kid.

I've never caught a foul or even attempted to. But if one landed in my lap, I don't see why I should give it to some kid. I don't think a kid should be expecting adults to give them stuff at the ballpark.

[RuthMayBond]

I've never caught a foul or even attempted to. But if one landed in my lap, I don't see why I should give it to some kid.Wamby, we agreed on something in our lifetime :clapping although a little girl showed me where there were two balls in an equipment shed in Cleveland Municipal. I jumped down, got em and of course I gave her one of them

[wamby]

Wamby, we agreed on something in our lifetime :clapping although a little girl showed me where there were two balls in an equipment shed in Cleveland Municipal. I jumped down, got em and of course I gave her one of them

In that case I would have given her one too.

[Williamsburg2599]

In my opinion, I do not see what a grown man would see in a foul ball.To a kid it means everything in the world. I guess it sort of shows the type of person you are. Do you get more joy out of making a kid the happiest kid in the world or by keeping a stupid baseball for yourself?

Another thing that gets me mad is when grown men bring baseball gloves to a game. Can we agree on that at least?
Exactly,its everyones childhood dream to catch a ball, and if you never catch one when your a kid that dream may carry on untill your older.Ive had a grown man beat me to a ball I was chasing down at a AAA game when I was around age 9 and what can I say?The old man beat me to it:laugh.

[RuthMayBond]

Another thing that gets me mad is when grown men bring baseball gloves to a game. Can we agree on that at least?I took my wife to a minor league game and I always bring my glove. We got first row seats to the side of the catcher. It turns out we were just out from under the net behind home. We were closer to the catcher than the shortstop was. Do you still think it was a dumb idea?

[Ubiquitous]

In my opinion, I do not see what a grown man would see in a foul ball.To a kid it means everything in the world. I guess it sort of shows the type of person you are. Do you get more joy out of making a kid the happiest kid in the world or by keeping a stupid baseball for yourself?



So what kind of person am I then? I would rather keep the ball because it actually means something real to me then to give it some kid who would get the same joy if I bought them an ice cream cone or a pokemon card. I guess I don't know why I have to satisfy someone elses kids every whim and desire.

[wamby]

So what kind of person am I then? I would rather keep the ball because it actually means something real to me then to give it some kid who would get the same joy if I bought them an ice cream cone or a pokemon card. I guess I don't know why I have to satisfy someone elses kids every whim and desire.

Because kids are the future and they are little treasures.

[RGreener26]

It shows you get more joy by keeping things for yourslelf than giving it to others I guess???

[Ubiquitous]

Ahh the simplified world of absolute beliefs.

[Food]

When I was 10, a guy behind me at a Spokane Chiefs hockey game gave me a puck. Total thrill for me.

At the Sharks games, when someone catches a puck and gives it to a kid, they show it on the big screen, and the place goes nuts.

I would definitely give a foul ball or puck to a kid.

[wamby]

When I was 10, a guy behind me at a Spokane Chiefs hockey game gave me a puck. Total thrill for me.

At the Sharks games, when someone catches a puck and gives it to a kid, they show it on the big screen, and the place goes nuts.

I would definitely give a foul ball or puck to a kid.

I would never want to see myself on the big-screen like that. That might chase me out of the building.

[Food]

I don't see why. Everyone likes a nice guy. With the majority of fans being season ticket holders, they'd remember you all year as the nice man who gave the puck to the kid. Good free PR.

At the Sharks games, they do all sorts of stuff just to get fans on the screen. The Kiss-Cam (Steve Sullivan of the Blackhawks kissed a teammate on the helmet, got major applause, then scored the tying goal in the final minute), the Celebrity Look-Alike (my mother looks like Barbara Billingsley, I guess), special days like Mothers' Day they'll focus on those being celebrated, and if a kid drops his ice cream they'll use the clip all season long.

[wamby]

I don't see why. Everyone likes a nice guy. With the majority of fans being season ticket holders, they'd remember you all year as the nice man who gave the puck to the kid. Good free PR.

At the Sharks games, they do all sorts of stuff just to get fans on the screen. The Kiss-Cam (Steve Sullivan of the Blackhawks kissed a teammate on the helmet, got major applause, then scored the tying goal in the final minute), the Celebrity Look-Alike (my mother looks like Barbara Billingsley, I guess), special days like Mothers' Day they'll focus on those being celebrated, and if a kid drops his ice cream they'll use the clip all season long.

I wouldn't be able to handle that level of attention. It would be too overwhelming.

[TonyK]

In my opinion, I do not see what a grown man would see in a foul ball.To a kid it means everything in the world. I guess it sort of shows the type of person you are. Do you get more joy out of making a kid the happiest kid in the world or by keeping a stupid baseball for yourself?

Another thing that gets me mad is when grown men bring baseball gloves to a game. Can we agree on that at least?

The day I catch a ball at a AAA or ML game then I will decide what to do with it. My son usually brings his glove to AAA games, and sometimes I have also. At a game in Fenway Park, a group of us ducked and a hooking line drive sailed past us and hit someone in the head. I wished I had a glove then because I would have broken my hand trying to catch it.

[RGreener26]

I took my wife to a minor league game and I always bring my glove. We got first row seats to the side of the catcher. It turns out we were just out from under the net behind home. We were closer to the catcher than the shortstop was. Do you still think it was a dumb idea?

I think it is dumb that you would think I would not recommend bringing a glove if you're closer to the catcher than the shortstop :). I meant those who bring gloves and sit in the outfield. Of course, if you're sitting rows from the pitcher it would be better to bring anything possible to protect yourself from something that can cause severe injuries.

[RuthMayBond]

I think it is dumb that you would think I would not recommend bringing a glove if you're closer to the catcher than the shortstop :). I meant those who bring gloves and sit in the outfield. Of course, if you're sitting rows from the pitcher it would be better to bring anything possible to protect yourself from something that can cause severe injuries.I also went to another game with my wife and friends. We got there early, near the end of batting practice. We were in the OUTFIELD and the batter smashed one right at my wife and her friend. I had my glove, reached up and prevented them from getting smacked. Why do you care so much about people bringing gloves?

[RGreener26]

I also went to another game with my wife and friends. We got there early, near the end of batting practice. We were in the OUTFIELD and the batter smashed one right at my wife and her friend. I had my glove, reached up and prevented them from getting smacked. Why do you care so much about people bringing gloves?

I do not care that much. I said it was something little that annoyed me about baseball games. If you keep asking me questions regarding it, then of course I am going to respond to your answers. That doesn't mean it is a big issue for me, though.

I guess if you're afraid to use your bare hands from preventing a ball hit all the way in the outfield, whether it be from hitting you or a friend, using a glove is fine. I may have made a bad assumption, though, in assuming that all men can take a little bit of pain. My mistake...

[RuthMayBond]

I do not care that much. I said it was something little that annoyed me about baseball games. If you keep asking me questions regarding it, then of course I am going to respond to your answers. That doesn't mean it is a big issue for me, though.

I guess if you're afraid to use your bare hands from preventing a ball hit all the way in the outfield, whether it be from hitting you or a friend, using a glove is fine.How about it having a better chance of protecting your friends?

<I may have made a bad assumption, though, in assuming that all men can take a little bit of pain.>

For a couple of days so far ;)

[trosmok]

LOL. :laugh C'mon, it's not like anyone here is going to get called out of the stands and signed as a defensive replacement in late innings.:crazy Jerseys, caps and jackets are appropriate attire for the stands, gloves are often seen, and too often left at the park. If you bring a glove, be sure to have your name and phone scribbled in it somewhere so we can get it back to you. :waving

Seriously, having one team in the league with eight players making more per season than the entire Marlins payroll bothers me. It doesn't bother me that they are Yankees much, it doesn't bother me that their owner is Frankensteinbrenner but only a little. What gets my sliding shorts in a bunch is that Pants on fire Loria is tanking the fish and taking them elsewhere with Selig's tacit approval. That bothers me.

[RuthMayBond]

LOL. :laugh C'mon, it's not like anyone here is going to get called out of the stands and signed as a defensive replacement in late innings.:crazy Crap, there goes MY master plan :grouchy ;)

[RGreener26]

For a couple of days so far ;)

Sorry Ruth, but that one went over my head. Anyways, I guess we will just have to agree to disagree.

[wamby]

Crap, there goes MY master plan :grouchy ;)

Please tone down the language.
Thank you.

[riverfrontier]

nothing wrong with bringing yr glove to a game, as far as i'm concerned.

what's bothered me so far this season, aside from my girlfriend's expensive restaurant habit, is the fact that mlb is charging money to listen to radio broadcasts.

[Mattingly]

In my opinion, I do not see what a grown man would see in a foul ball.To a kid it means everything in the world. I guess it sort of shows the type of person you are. Do you get more joy out of making a kid the happiest kid in the world or by keeping a stupid baseball for yourself?

Another thing that gets me mad is when grown men bring baseball gloves to a game. Can we agree on that at least?
All depends. If the kid has a glove, then I'd let him catch it. If it's a screaming foul ball, the kid has no glove, I'd have no problem catching it. If it's a soft hi-arching foul, then a kid about 14 or 15 catching it barehanded seems likely.

I'd never push a young teen out of the way to get to a ball. However, people can be harmed by a foul ball, so it's up to the glove-wearer's discretion. Either case, I'd likely look like a creep even if the ball was going very fast, but I'd stuck my glove up to catch the ball.

As to giving the ball to a kid, if I've got a kid with me, then he/she would likely get it. If not, then I may give it to the kid if they ask. otherwise, I'd likely not expect someone to feel that I'd owed them the ball. Everyone's expectations may be different on this one.
nothing wrong with bringing yr glove to a game, as far as i'm concerned.

what's bothered me so far this season, aside from my girlfriend's expensive restaurant habit, is the fact that mlb is charging money to listen to radio broadcasts.
Which radio broadcasts are you referring to? XM?

[Go Bravos!!!#1]

I remember a game the Rangers were playing and a ball was hit in the stands and this guy who was about 35, pushed a kid,who was about 8, out of the way to catch the ball. The guy later gave the ball back to the kid but it was despicable to push the little kid out of the way for a ball he could easily buy at any recreational store.

[CuriousBoston]

when I was in college..I didn't have my glove, got stuck in left field. Line drive to me...I should have let it go. I sprained my right wrist. I think gloves are a good idea, especially at Fenway; you are sitting on top of the players. There have been people hurt by fouls, mostly women. If I'm at the game, I pick a guy near me to be my official ballcatcher, responsible for keeping me safe. Now matter what part of the park I'm in, line drives have been close.

I'll second that part about batting practice. Wally was posing, nearly got his head taken off.

I kept the first ball; it was given to me, I might keep another one, to give to a relative it would mean something to. Other than that, I would give it to a little girl.

[riverfrontier]

on mlb.com they are charging money for the radio broadcasts. the stations that carried the games on-line before are forced into blacking them out. does anybody know of any sites that carry games? any games at all, but preferrably reds and tigers.

[RuthMayBond]

Please tone down the language.
Thank you.I can say anything I gosh darn please :grouchy ;)

[RuthMayBond]

when I was in college..I didn't have my glove, got stuck in left field. Line drive to me...I should have let it go. I sprained my right wrist. I think gloves are a good idea, especially at Fenway; you are sitting on top of the players. There have been people hurt by fouls, mostly women.That minor league game I was at, a little girl did get hurt. Good thing nobody was ridiculous enough to bring a glove :rolleyes:

<If I'm at the game, I pick a guy near me to be my official ballcatcher, responsible for keeping me safe.>

I've even had people ask me if I'd do that, which I have no problem with

<I'll second that part about batting practice. Wally was posing, nearly got his head taken off.>

My wife and I were at a Biscuits game (of all things) last summer. A guy was warming up down the line and had no one watching for game line drives. Almost got his head taken off. Like they had no idea this might happen?

[Erik Bedard]

How would you all feel about a 15-year old kid shoving an adult out of the way to catch a home run? Because that just happened on Corey Patterson's homer against the M's.

Also, in a Cape Cod Baseball League game, when I was about eight, I was chasing a foul ball when I got shoved against a pickup truck by a teenager who was twice my size. I started crying (hey, I was eight years old!) and a man yelled at the kid but I still didn't get the ball. I did, however, get a ball a couple years later at another CCBL game, this time a home run in the playoffs. :eek:

[wamby]

I can say anything I gosh darn please :grouchy ;)

PG please!!
Thanks

[Astro]

on mlb.com they are charging money for the radio broadcasts. the stations that carried the games on-line before are forced into blacking them out. does anybody know of any sites that carry games? any games at all, but preferrably reds and tigers.
xm radio...

[RuthMayBond]

I guess if you're afraid to use your bare hands from preventing a ball hit all the way in the outfield, whether it be from hitting you or a friend, using a glove is fine. I may have made a bad assumption, though, in assuming that all men can take a little bit of pain. My mistake...You're right, tonight I took my glove to the Indians game.
Didn't save anyone's face with it.
Didn't even use it to catch anything.
But I still wound up with a bobblehead.
And a ball from batting practice.
Twenty-seven straight years.
MAN, I'm getting OLD :lookitup :eek: :ughh :grouchy :hp :laugh :laugh

[tigers527]

Exactly,its everyones childhood dream to catch a ball, and if you never catch one when your a kid that dream may carry on untill your older.Ive had a grown man beat me to a ball I was chasing down at a AAA game when I was around age 9 and what can I say?The old man beat me to it:laugh.

My only point to this is....I dont care who gets the ball, if you get the ball on a bounce or worse off the ground after it came to a rest. DO NOT HOLD IT UP like youre something special....I HATE THAT.

Now if you caught the ball in flight, or made a play on a hard hit foul grounder up on your wall...ok hold it up. But unless youre a kid dont dance around like youre all that for being the first guy to get to the seat the ball happened to land under.

Thanks guys for making me remember something I hate.

However, bringing a mit as an adult doesn't make me mad persay (you get an exemption if you have a real young, one part of the team and all) but I do think it is kind of lame. I saw and read most of your reasons. If safety is the true issue, do you also ground a rod of metal 10' or higher? I mean youre more likely to get hit by lightening then have major calamity from a foul ball. It is silly to bring a mit, however everyone should also always PAY ATTENTION. Even in down time you could get killed by a t-shirt gun like Maude Flanders.

[Ubiquitous]

Well holding the ball up shows possession, which means if there is a fight afterwards for the ball you can prove that you indeed had the ball and it was wrestled away from you.

Comes in handy when the guy next to you sucker punches you for that million dollar ball.

[tigers527]

Well holding the ball up shows possession, which means if there is a fight afterwards for the ball you can prove that you indeed had the ball and it was wrestled away from you.

Comes in handy when the guy next to you sucker punches you for that million dollar ball.

The only recent million dollar balls in Detroit are the ones with the lottery numbers on them....however point taken.

[RuthMayBond]

The only recent million dollar balls in Detroit are the ones with the lottery numbers on them....however point taken.If McGwire's 70th isn't recent

[RGreener26]

If safety is the true issue, do you also ground a rod of metal 10' or higher? I mean youre more likely to get hit by lightening then have major calamity from a foul ball.

RuthMayBond...do you? :laugh

[Mattingly]

How would you all feel about a 15-year old kid shoving an adult out of the way to catch a home run? Because that just happened on Corey Patterson's homer against the M's.

Also, in a Cape Cod Baseball League game, when I was about eight, I was chasing a foul ball when I got shoved against a pickup truck by a teenager who was twice my size. I started crying (hey, I was eight years old!) and a man yelled at the kid but I still didn't get the ball. I did, however, get a ball a couple years later at another CCBL game, this time a home run in the playoffs. :eek:
It all depends. Was this a relatively large 15-y.o. male who is on the junior varsity football team as a defensive player? Or is this a 15 year-old female who's slight in build?

As to the adult, was the adult a man or a woman? About how large was that adult? If someone's off-balance or trying to get away from the ball, I can see them being pushed down easily by a much smaller person.

I'm personally against anyone pushing another out of the way, regardless of age and/or gender, with the sole exception being that if the other person is in harm's way. Please see the various posts here about someone asking a stranger sitting close to them to catch any foul balls that wander their way.

[tigers527]

If McGwire's 70th isn't recent

True that was recent...but not in Detroit. :D

[geezer]

If a player has to congratulate someone, I would rather see them congratulate a teammate.

Or do a Freddie Mitchell type congratulation

[tigers527]

Please see the various posts here about someone asking a stranger sitting close to them to catch any foul balls that wander their way.

As I have said before I myself am a big fan of people paying attention if for no other reason self preseveration. Now, I know the exception the wee ones, that is part of the being a parent though.

I have not been closer then 2 rows from a foul ball in the hundreds of baseball games that I have seen. And no they are not all nose bleeds I am watching from. But my head is on a swivel with the hope of both getting a foul ball and not being concussed by said foul ball. Is concussed a word? The act of recieving a concussion? <shrugs> Bad grammer is still grammer.

[RuthMayBond]

RuthMayBond...do you? :laughI guess it's time for true confessions and I've got a NET on the end of the metal rod :laugh

[RuthMayBond]

My only point to this is....I dont care who gets the ball, if you get the ball on a bounce or worse off the ground after it came to a rest. DO NOT HOLD IT UP like youre something special....I HATE THAT.

Now if you caught the ball in flight, or made a play on a hard hit foul grounder up on your wall...ok hold it up. But unless youre a kid dont dance around like youre all that for being the first guy to get to the seat the ball happened to land under.

Thanks guys for making me remember something I hate.Any time. BTW, exactly how many balls HAVE you caught at games?

[wamby]

Any time. BTW, exactly how many balls HAVE you caught at games?

If we ever get together for a game, you'll have to get a ball for me. I've never come close to getting one.

[RuthMayBond]

If we ever get together for a game, you'll have to get a ball for me. I've never come close to getting one.I used to say that. I got one at Jacob's Field Saturday night. Although my means are getting more unconventional these days :(

[Captain Cold Nose]

I used to say that. I got one at Jacob's Field Saturday night. Although my means are getting more unconventional these days :(
You're supposed to keep your hobbies interesting.

[RuthMayBond]

You're supposed to keep your hobbies interesting.I haven't caught any by regular means at Jacobs Field since 2004, but I have procured free major league baseballs last year and this year, keeping the string alive

[Captain Cold Nose]

I haven't caught any by regular means at Jacobs Field since 2004, but I have procured free major league baseballs last year and this year, keeping the string alive
And that's the most important thing. As long as the end is the same, the means don't have to be. I've never caught a single ball, but I have several my father has caught over the years at Tiger Stadium.

[RuthMayBond]

And that's the most important thing. As long as the end is the same, the means don't have to be. I've never caught a single ball, but I have several my father has caught over the years at Tiger Stadium.I went to Tiger Stadium the next to last series ever. They were playing the Tribe and Mike Jackson tossed one to me. Which didn't make me feel so :grouchy later in BP when a Tiger threw one in that I caught, told me to give it to some woman, and said he'd throw me one later. He did ...
... from about 150 feet away ...
... into the crowd, where I was shoved and didn't get that ball

[Captain Cold Nose]

I went to Tiger Stadium the next to last series ever. They were playing the Tribe and Mike Jackson tossed one to me. Which didn't make me feel so :grouchy later in BP when a Tiger threw one in that I caught, told me to give it to some woman, and said he'd throw me one later. He did ...
... from about 150 feet away ...
... into the crowd, where I was shoved and didn't get that ball
Sounds like something Bobby Higginson or Robert Fick would do.

[wamby]

I used to say that. I got one at Jacob's Field Saturday night. Although my means are getting more unconventional these days :(

I came close once at Municipal, but not at Jacobs Field.

[Mattingly]

I'm curious, since everyone is talking about caught balls, what about caught bats? I remember seeing a player take a swing, the bat went flying, and a fan caught it. The player had to give the fan another bat from the rack to trade for, since that was the player's regular bat.

I also remember that David Wells once tossed his glove into the stands to a grateful (and very surprised) fan after a lousy game.

Any thoughts on those?

[RuthMayBond]

I came close once at Municipal, but not at Jacobs Field.In the "crowds" of 4,000?

[RuthMayBond]

I'm curious, since everyone is talking about caught balls, what about caught bats? I remember seeing a player take a swing, the bat went flying, and a fan caught it. The player had to give the fan another bat from the rack to trade for, since that was the player's regular bat.

I also remember that David Wells once tossed his glove into the stands to a grateful (and very surprised) fan after a lousy game.

Any thoughts on those?Very rare. Although it seems to me Dave Winfield had a habit of letting bats slip

[wamby]

In the "crowds" of 4,000?

This was during game one of a weekday doubleheader against Oakland. At this point, I think there were probably about 800 people there. This ewas one of the few doubleheaders thet I remember there having a bigger crowd for the second game than the first.

[RuthMayBond]

PG please!!
ThanksI don't give a :grouchy

[Mattingly]

Very rare. Although it seems to me Dave Winfield had a habit of letting bats slipAnd for killing seagulls. :D

I think this was around 2004 or 2005, a batter let it slip after he went around and some fan had a real "game-used bat" in his/her lap. I'm just glad that they didn't get knocked in the head with that flying thing.

Anyway, I couldn't imagine what my facial expression would be if something like that ever came my way, especially if spinning wildly.

Oh yeah, yourself and wamby can quit the stuff about whether things are PG or not. Just keep it nice, don't swear and let the Mods do the stuff. PM us if needed.

[RuthMayBond]

Anyway, I couldn't imagine what my facial expression would be if something like that ever came my way, especially if spinning wildly.I'd be like, come to papa

<Oh yeah, yourself and wamby can quit the stuff about whether things are PG or not. Just keep it nice, don't swear>

And when have I *not* done this?

[Mattingly]

I'd be like, come to papa
You'd better be ready for Baby Huey, since once a bat spins, it may as well be an airplane propeller out there. I'd just hope that it slipped and went straight and I'd either seen it or it landed in my lap. With my luck, it would drop on nachos with cheese and hot dog or something.
And when have I *not* done this?
*Nudges RMB back out into LF where he's safe from normal people* :D :crazy

Note to all: Please don't feed the bears or the RMBs! :p :laugh

[wamby]

I don't give a :grouchy

That's more like it.

[tigers527]

And for killing seagulls. :D

I think this was around 2004 or 2005, a batter let it slip after he went around and some fan had a real "game-used bat" in his/her lap. I'm just glad that they didn't get knocked in the head with that flying thing.

Anyway, I couldn't imagine what my facial expression would be if something like that ever came my way, especially if spinning wildly.

You'd be fine Mattingly...I saw your gorilla like hands on that other thread.

[RuthMayBond]

You'd be fine Mattingly...I saw your gorilla like hands on that other thread.And you thought the 10' metal rod would never come in handy :D

[west coast orange and black]

Mattingly: I'm curious, since everyone is talking about caught balls, what about caught bats?

i didn't hafta catch it, 'cause it was handed to me, but willie mcgee gave a gamer to me down in los angeles during the last weekend of the 1993 season.